<p>I’m entering college as a freshman this September, put down my tuition payment at Tufts, and was planning to go there. However, just two days ago I found out I was accepted to UCL (University College London). I’m checking out a couple things with finances there before I withdraw my tuition payment from Tufts, but I thought as I wait for that information I may as well ask if anyone here has any opinions on which would be better for someone like me that’s planning to go down an academic track, specifically Ph.D in Philosophy (practical, I know). My program of study at UCL would be European Social and Political Studies, which is relatively broad, but perfect for my passion for the study of Europe and the ability to combine languages with a philosophy specialization: [UCL</a> ESPS Home Page](<a href=“http://www.ucl.ac.uk/esps/]UCL”>http://www.ucl.ac.uk/esps/)</p>
<p>Also, does anyone have any idea which school would have better transfer prospects? If I wanted to try to transfer into Princeton or Harvard for Philosophy do you think I’d have an easier time coming from UCL or Tufts? I’d imagine UCL because of its high ranking and the fact that ESPS is considered a bit of an elite program there, but then again UK - US transfers can be difficult I suppose. I’m an American, but I also just acquired German citizenship, so I don’t know whether I’d be considered an international transfer or not - I’d definitely need financial aid, which I know is hard for internationals. However, do colleges usually give financial aid to transfers even if they’re American?</p>
<p>I’d assume Tufts would be the easier transfer simply because it’s a domestic transfer. However UCL carries greater international recognition. Can’t provide too much advice on the FA situation.</p>
<p>All I can say is that you should avoid attending a school with a “transfer-out” mindset.</p>
<p>^^I agree. Tufts is likely easier to transfer from since it is in the US. However, you got into two great schools, I’d pick one and go there and assume you will stay four years. As a rule, transfer students get very little/no aid, so don’t count on a transfer working out financially. If you do well, you will have the chance to pursue grad school at another school.</p>
<p>Askjeeves, I’m not going with a transfer out mentality, but I’m a bit worried about the finances at UCL - the cost of living in London is very high. The transfer thing would probably only come into play if I find that I’m running out of money and going into too much debt. I thought that maybe since UCL is an international school I may have a better argument for transferring by saying that I don’t like the European system.</p>
<p>Yeah I’m going to find that out within the next day. I’m calling up UCL tomorrow morning to ask about what type of financial aid I can get now that I’m a German/EU national.</p>
<p>Below are some transfer acceptance figures:</p>
<p>Princeton University: Has not accepted transfers applicants in 30 years
Harvard University: 1,500 applied, 15 admitted (1% acceptance rate)
Yale University: 1,070 applied, 29 admitted (3% acceptance rate)
Stanford University: 1,413 applied, 58 admitted (4% acceptance rate)</p>
<p>In other words, do not plan on transfering to those universities. I would choose between Tufts and UCL based on personal preference, not transfer opportunities.</p>
<p>You will have to check that with UCL, but, usually, non-UK EU citizens are only eligible to reduced tuition fees in English universities (capped at 9,000 pounds/year) if they have lived in an EU country for the past 3 years.</p>
<p>I’m aware of that, but what I meant was that I was going to ask them about loans that I can get as a German citizen even though my tax residency wasn’t in the EU for the last 3 years.</p>
<p>Alexandre,</p>
<p>I know how hard it can be to transfer, but it’s worth a shot anyway. Also on my list are some easier to get into universities like Columbia and U Chicago (I was wait-listed at both) because they have good philosophy departments. I’m hoping that by showing a real dedication to the subject, finding specific professors I’d like to study under (which will also help narrow down the schools I’d apply to transfer to), and planning to go down a Ph.D track I’ll raise my chances.</p>
<p>If you want to get a PhD in philosophy and are looking to transfer, depending on how good your grades are, what you can afford, etc. you ought really be looking at NYU. It’s above Harvard, Yale, Princeton, Columbia, Chicago, and every other university in the world, actually, for philosophy as it has one the largest and most renown faculties of any school anywhere.</p>
<p>Keep in mind that many UK Universities have a 3 year undergraduate program. That should save you some money. You could go to UCL for a BA, then apply to all your favorite schools for graduate study.</p>
<p>NYU2013, NYU was actually my first choice out of every school I applied to (including HYPS), but unfortunately it’s just way too expensive. Tufts offered me a lot of aid, but NYU barely gave me anything so it was impossible to go there. I’d assume I wouldn’t get any money if I transferred either.</p>
<p>2bizee, the course I was accepted to is four years. I could potentially switch, but I’d prefer to stay with this one.</p>
<p>After speaking with my family’s financial advisor, UCL apparently is doable, even though it’s more expensive. It comes to around $10,000 more a year. The real problem now seems to be that since I got in late there aren’t any dorms left and I’ll have to find a flat mate.</p>